The Equipment Loan Closet in UB’s Center for Assistive Technology has received a $30,000 grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to continue its work loaning assistive technology devices to individuals with visual impairments.

The grant funding, which runs through June 30, 2019, will help ensure that equipment is available for loan to individuals in need, specific to the Western New York area. The assistive technology devices available through the loan program include iPads and laptop computers, talking digital recorders, adaptive keyboards, mice, magnification and screen-reading software, Pen Friends, braille displays and note-takers, handheld and desktop magnifiers.

“In my experience, it has been life-changing for clients, school-age to adults, for enhancement of educational, vocational, daily living and recreational access to the technological world,” says Kimberly Naus, project lead for the Equipment Loan Closet.